Science and Health
Measures to fight H1N1 swine flu in Europe
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-12-03 08:11
Here are some details about measures taken to fight H1N1, swine flu, which has killed almost 8,750 people globally, according to the latest European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (ECDC) tallies.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an H1N1 pandemic on June 11, indicating the first influenza pandemic since 1968 was under way.
* CROATIA:
-- Croatia received the first 140,000 doses of vaccine against swine flu last week and the vaccination programme started on November 27. However, the interest among citizens have been relatively low so far, as many people said they were not convinced in the safety of the vaccine. Croatia has ordered some 1.5 million doses of the vaccine.
* CYPRUS:
-- The Health Ministry's H1N1 team said on Monday that from Wednesday all vulnerable groups aged 6 months old and up should be vaccinated -- bringing the date forward by 10 days due to a rise in the number of cases plus a low turn-out during the first week of mass vaccination.
* FRANCE:
-- The French government said on Tuesday vaccination centres would stay open seven days a week against six at present, and for much longer hours, to cope with a surge in demand for jabs.
-- France has set up some 1,200 centres and after a slow start to their vaccination campaign, doctors have reported a flood of people seeking treatment over the past week, leading to waits of several hours. Student medical interns and army doctors have been called in to help meet the huge demand.
* TURKEY:
-- Emergency services, security services, utilities, transportation and communication sector workers will all be vaccinated. Schools, public transport vehicles and petrol stations have been disinfected and the worst affected schools have been closed for at least a week and lessons broadcast on local television.
-- Turks have responded cautiously to calls to get vaccinated, particularly since Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said he would not get vaccinated.
-- Turkey's health minister estimated up to 1 million people had been affected and he urged citizens to get vaccinated before the virus is expected to peak in February.
